Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered all incoming local government chairmen in the state to reside in their council headquarters to enable them perform effectively.
This is against the popular practice where council chairmen operate from Yenagoa, the state capital.
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Speaking during the inauguration of the chairman’s new office complex at Ekeremor local government, as part of legacy projects executed by council chairmen across the state, Diri said the idea of the council helmsman residing in their respective domain will fast track development.
He appealed to the people to cooperate and support council chairmen to deliver on their mandate.
He said: “Let me inform all those that would take over the leadership of the third tier of government that as the policy of this administration, all local government chairmen must stay in their respective domains.
“I appeal to the elders and all other stakeholders to support the local government administration to enable them perform their duties in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
“We are happy that our council chairmen are now performing. If you have electricity, potable water, good roads and other social amenities, there will be no need moving to urban areas.
“As a government, we will continue to do those things that will impact on people living in our communities,” he said.
In his address, chairman of the Ekeremor council, Dr. Bertola Perekeme, appreciated the state government for its supervision of the councils through the deputy governor’s office, which he said had raised the level of achievements.
Dr. Perekeme noted that between August 2019 and February 2020, the Ekeremor council was only able to pay salaries through the benevolence of sister councils.
